Caitlin's Journal...

Now That I Have Floated Back Down To Earth…
    Hello Everyone! Coming to you straight from my apartment in Harrisonburg, Virginia, I bring you my first journal entry as Miss Greater Springfield 2008. I could not be more excited for my upcoming year, and I hope to keep everyone updated on my adventures and experiences as I embark on this exciting journey. I would like to take the time to express my sincere appreciation for everyone involved in the Miss Greater Springfield pageant for contributing your time and talents to making it such a positive experience for me and my fellow contestants. It is dedication from giving people such as yourselves, who allow young women such as myself to pursue their dreams, and that truly is priceless. A special thank you to the esteemed panel of judges, Chip Brown; Rita Steele; Jerri James; Richard Kibler; and Brad Hibbs, for executing your important roles with heartfelt commitment, consideration, and kindness. Thank you to my wonderful friends and family who came out to support me, and who have supported me throughout my life in all of my endeavors. I was so touched to see all of your smiling faces in the audience; your unconditional love and support mean more to me than you will ever know.

    I would also like to thank the rest of the Miss Greater Springfield contestants for making the day so much fun. I am always impressed by the affable nature of the girls backstage, and Springfield was certainly no exception. When I look back to that day- to rehearsals, squeezing into that tiny little dressing room, encouragement between phases of the competition, and meaningful conversation over make-up and hair preparation- I smile, and I thank you ladies for that. To Ariel, I thank you for being an inspiration as Miss Greater Springfield 2007, and as an amazing young woman. You will certainly be a hard act to follow, but I am so proud to call you my Miss Greater Springfield sister. To Duane, Jerry, and the rest of the Miss Greater Springfield board- I am thrilled to join your wonderful Greater Springfield family and I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year together. Thank you for opening your hearts to me, and allowing me this opportunity. I hope you know how much I appreciate everything.

Now that it sounds like I have given some sort of an Oscar speech, I move on to tell you a little about my story :op

    I discovered the Miss America system here in Virginia quite by accident a few months ago, while doing some research to keep up with Swanson middle school, where I attended 6th-8th grade. By some wonderful twist of fate, the Miss Arlington pageant popped up in my search results that day because it was being held at Swanson and I took notice. Soon, I found myself overwhelmed by amazing experiences, and I knew in my heart that my discovery that day had not been an accident. I have found in this system a place where I truly feel I fit, a place where I can express myself in a multi-faceted way and a springboard to launch me to a position where I have the ability to truly inspire people and make a real difference in a community and a commonwealth I care about. I hope that this year I make everyone involved in this organization proud. The Miss Greater Springfield slogan is “where dreams come true.” My dream is to inspire children to believe in themselves for their strengths and the unique gifts they have to share. I thank you all for allowing me to find mine, and now I am ready to share :o)

Love Always,

Caitlin